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Programmable, Submersible Live Vest User Manual copyright Oceanic Safety Systems LLC., 2014
Immersion (Auto) mode:
This mode mimics the “automatic” PFDs that inflate with water contact. However, an important difference
is the Oceanic Safety System patent pending for water detection. Basically, the actuator can be flooded
by high waves, high humidity and heavy rain and never make a false inflation, unlike the other vests that
rely on a dissolvable pill, which is subject to dissolving while not actually
IN
the water. Once the Oceanic
actuator feels that it is bobbing in water, it fires. This mode is selected when the mode screen is left in
“auto”, or by pressing the remote as previously described.
Submersion/Dive (Sub) mode:
In this mode, the actuator will fire, while continuously under water deeper than one meter, only if
either
the
user-set time trigger is exceeded,
or
if the user-set depth trigger is exceeded. Set the triggers
individually as previously described and select this mode by leaving any screen visible except the “Auto”
screen.
It is important to understand that both submersion/dive modes (Sub and ScbA) are not
active until the user descends deeper than one meter.
SCUBA mode:
When the actuator screen is advanced to “ScbA” and left there, only the depth trigger
setting will function—the time trigger setting is ignored. If you exceed you trigger dep;th, the PSLV will
inflate.
Delay mode:
In this mode your PSLV immediately detects a fall into the water, but inflation is delayed
until your time trigger is exceeded. In Delay mode you have time to accomplish a goal before inflation,
such as climbing back onto a boat if you fall, getting back on your feet if you slip into the water, or
escaping an overturned helicopter. To set this mode, leave the “dely” screen visible after you have set
your delay time.
.
VIII. FEATURES AND OPERATION
Warning
Use the SCUBA mode cautiously because inflation of the PSLV causes rapid
ascent through the water column, which can cause injury or death due to air embolism or
decompression sickness—the bends. Use this mode only after consultation with your dive
safety officer or independent scuba instructor.
You decide how to program your PSLV:
You have the option of setting your maximal depth and time.
This will take some fine-tuning depending upon the mission. For example, for overwater operations such
as transport in a Zodiac, or transfer to a larger vessel, you might want to set the maximum time to 30
seconds before the vest inflates and 8 meters before it fires. Crossing a river that is 3 meters deep, you
might want to leave the time at 20 seconds, but change the fire depth to 2 meters (leaving it at 5 meters,
for example, would never allow the opportunity to fire at depth.) Setting these parameters too far outside
your safe envelope will limit the value of the PSLV to you. If you set them too conservatively, for example
setting the time at 5 seconds when you can easily hold your breath for 30 seconds, you will be frustrated
and inefficient and you will find yourself on the surface having to repack and recharge the unit.
Time and Depth Triggers
The PSLV allows you to program an envelope in which you expect to operate without deployment of the
PSLV. In other words, you will set your own limits for depth and duration for the mission. The following
example represents a depth of 10 meters and a time setting of 40 seconds. As long as you do not dive
deeper than 10 meters and 40 seconds under the water, the PSLV does not deploy. It will deploy, however, if
you exceed 10 meters in depth
OR
stay more than 40 seconds under the water. Typically, you will set the time
trigger 5 or 10 seconds past your personal longest reasonable breath hold. But you are free, of course, to
set your own time buffer. Another way to view these selections is to ask yourself, what is the duration of
the dive that you never want to exceed and at what depth do you desire the PSLV to inflate? For your
depth setting, consider selecting a depth that is 1 or 2 meters deeper than the deepest dive you plan to
make while operating. Keep in mind also that if you set the maximum depth deeper than the bottom you
are operating over, this trigger will be useless.
